Pelosi: Democrats Coalescing Around Clinton for President in 2016

Democrats are beginning to unite in support of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic candidate for president in 2016, says House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Asked by USA Today in an interview whether Democrats are "coalescing" around the former secretary of state, Pelosi said, "I think so. There's a great deal of excitement about the prospect that she would run."

Clinton is "well prepared" to serve as commander-in-chief, given her experience as first lady, as a New York senator, including membership on the Armed Services Committee, and as head of the State Department, Pelosi said.

"If Secretary Clinton were to run — and we think if she ran, she would win — I believe that she would be the best-prepared person to enter the White House in decades, with all due respect to her husband, present company and other presidents," Pelosi said.

But she stopped short of endorsing Clinton. "I'm not making endorsements right now, because I don't think that's appropriate," she said. "But I am gauging. I'm encouraging people to think about it, so in case she asks us, we have something to say to her."

But Clinton has been slipping lately in polls against Republicans. For example, a Fox News poll of 1,012 voters conducted June 22-24 shows that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's popularity is rising while Clinton's is slipping.

In the survey, 46 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Christie, up from 30 percent in August 2012. Meanwhile, Clinton has a favorable rating of 56 percent, down from 63 percent in August 2012.